Axion can improve list of wins

WHEN Axion arrived at Barry Campbell’s stables in May there were no great expectations from his NSWbased owners.

But after the son of Lonhro scored an impressive win at Devonport at only his second start in the state, early last month, Campbell predicted the horse might develop into a handy galloper.

Axion arrived in Tasmania with inconsistent form, his two NSW wins coming in the space of a fortnight in October-November 2015.

Two years on he has only three wins to his name but in Launceston tonight in a benchmark 62 handicap, and on a good surface, the gelding would only need to take his last-start effort when second to Gallow Gate on an unsuitable heavy track into the race to be hard to beat.

“He’s a nice horse and this race looks very suitable,” Campbell said.

Craig Newitt had his first ride on him last start and he retains the ride.

Newitt has a full book of rides on the seven-race card and Axion appears as one of his best winning chances.

Axion appeared to get too far out of his ground last start and did not appear comfortable on the heavy track.

Newitt’s other top-rated mounts are Box of Frogs for Scott Brunton in Race 5, a benchmark 82 handicap over 1400m, and the Bill Ryantrained Sh’bourne Star looms as a top winning chance in the 1200m maiden (Race 2) based on her debut third in Launceston three weeks ago.

The full book of rides will serve as a warm-up for Newitt’s venture to Caulfield on Saturday where he will partner the David Brideoaketrained Hardham in the Caulfield Cup.

Hardham won last season’s Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) and followed up with a game third to Jon Snow in the Australian Derby over 2400m. At his second start this season he won over 1700m at Flemington and he tuned up for the Caulfield Cup with an eye-catching second to Wheal Leisure in the Inglis Cup over 2000m at Caulfield three weeks ago.